1. Set the world border size
The value is the full width of the box, not the distance from the centre
/worldborder set 500What it does Will set the world border size (side length) to 500 block(s).
Worldborder command generator
Set the world border, shrink or grow it gradually, and set damage for crossing it (Java only)
What Worldborder is for
The world border is a transparent blue wall that keeps players from going past a set limit — the core tool for Battle Royale-style minigames where the playable area gradually shrinks
- Set size + time — the border gradually shrinks over the given time
- Warning distance — the player's screen edge turns red when they get close
- Damage outside the border — the further outside, the faster health drains
- Safe buffer distance — a grace distance before health starts draining
This command only exists in Java Edition — Bedrock has no /worldborder so only Java can be selected
Worked examples
The examples below come out of the same generator as the form above, so the commands and explanations always match what the tool produces. Copy one and adjust it from there
2. Shrink the border gradually
Add a time and the border creeps to its new size — the core mechanic of a battle-royale map
/worldborder set 100 300What it does Will set the world border size (side length) to 100 block(s), gradually over 300 second(s).
3. Move the border’s centre
The centre starts at 0,0 — move it when the play area should not sit in the middle of the map
/worldborder center 200 -150What it does Will move the world border center to X=200 Z=-150.
How this command differs by edition and version
This is the first example above, run through every edition and version this tool supports. Versions that produce the same result share a row
Every version this tool supports produces the same result, so a command you copy works without version-specific edits
Java Edition 1.21.5 and up
Java Edition 1.20.5 - 1.21.4
Java Edition 1.13 - 1.20.4 (legacy NBT)
/worldborder set 500Before you use these
- Commands typed into chat always need a leading /, while a command block accepts them either way. The examples above already include it
- Most commands only run when cheats are enabled for the world, or when you hold operator permission on the server How to enable cheats
- If a command on this page does not work in-game, please tell us — we treat those reports as more important than new features Report it